Can I be sacked?

DCFC79

GuySpec wrote: »

They're a national recruitment company, and my boss could easily cover my desk (he has done this before). A temp couldn't do my job, but my boss can cover me from any location in the country.

The problem is the reason I'm asking for the time off. I've spoken to the other two and they both have abroad holidays booked, hence why I'm desperate.

I know I worke in recruitment but I don't deal in recruitment law, hence the reason I'm looking for advice.

it could work in my favor telling them why I want the time off (I.e: no progression where I am. Have been here over 3 years, applied for this job ages ago). He might be grateful I'm letting them know in advance what my plans are. I have always done a good job and will continue to do so.

The other option, is to come up with an elaborate story that means he has to cover the office for those two days.

lol what story, it means lying though, can you do that

id be honest and explain this is something you are really interested in doing,

just speaking from experience, i told my last employer i was looking for something else and was applying for jobs and it was ok

Googlewhacker

spadoosh wrote: »

I thought you had (and using that loosely) to be given time off to attend interviews. ie your current employer has to allow you every opptunity to further yourself.

They certainly can't sack you for going to an interview however if its on their time and unagreed you will be subject to their disciplinary procedures should you take the time off.

This is only true if you are facing redundancy and yes you could be sacked for being AWOL.

Be honest with your boss and say you absolutely must go to this, sometimes you have to take risks to further yourself and if you end up being disciplined then this maybe a decision you just have to make.

Wyndham

Will you need a reference for the new job? If so, upsetting your current employer would seem like a bad idea.

If you applied for the job some time ago, I would suggest that they may have several dates where they get people together, so while it would have to be two days together, have you actually asked whether other dates are available?

Firefly_777

I agree it is a tough choice...

On one hand you can be honest and trust that your boss will cover for you, however you have to be prepared that he might say no. Yes you could possibly not go in after him saying no (you'll probably just get a verbal/written warning), though I would not recommend it as you might need them for a reference (I'm assuming that the armed forces will request a reference from your current employer).

On the another hand (as Strider suggested), you can be dishonest and say you are sick. You don't get a bad reference from being sick for 2 days, however if the armed forces wanted someone with an excellent health record, you could be screwed there.

To be honest, it depends on how much you want to be in the armed forces? How long have you waited for the interview date? If you have waited for 6 months to 1 year+, I would be tempted to go with the "be sick" option as it would be a long wait until your next opportunity, plus there is no guarantee that you will get another opportunity anyway.x

KiKi

I'd be honest.

If you have less than 12 months' service they can sack you for any reason anyway, albeit not a discriminatory one. If you have more than 12 months' service and don't turn up to work when they've refused you the time off, then yes - they can discipline you over it. It could be classed as Gross Misconduct which would mean immediate dismissal, although it would more likely mean a warning.

However, if you have a good relationship with them, then I'd tell them the truth. If they can easily cover you, then I'd rather leave them with the opportunity to get cover in time, rather than not turning up on the day (by calling in sick). I wouldn't make up an elaborate story - they often backfire. As a recruitment agency they're more likely to understand the importance of the two days.

But no, they can't sack you on the spot for saying you have an interview (unless you have less than 12 months with them) - and there is absolutely no statutory right to time off for interviews. Your contract may say otherwise, but I think it unlikely.

I would tell them the truth - but also give them two solutions to the problem. Show them what you've done to ensure minimum disruption, a couple of options for covering your role at that time, and offer to do something more than you would usually to make up for the inconvenience, given that you are meant to be covering holiday (eg, you will cover the boss' holiday for two weeks or something like that). Give them a reason to see that you want to further your career, but also want to help them out. Don't just hand them a staffing problem on a plate!

KiKi

Slinky

How about approaching your boss with the line of you're very happy in your current job and aren't actively seeking employment elsewhere.

However when you were at school you toyed with the idea that you wanted to go into the Armed Forces, but never did anything about it at the time. A few months ago you saw the opportunity advertised so decided to apply, not expecting it go anywhere, but now it has, you feel it's an itch that needs to be scratched. They want you to go for an interview on these 2 days. You feel it's something that you need to go an attend, otherwise you'll never know whether you should have chosen a different road. Emphasise how you are happy in your current role and are very willing to continue in it, but you just need to get it clear in your head whether the Armed Forces is or isn't the right future for you.

How does that sound?

SevenOfNine

I'd lie and call in sick, though I would feel bad I wouldn't want to risk asking, possibly being told no, then taking the time off anyway.

But then, following redundancy I view employers a bit differently now and I look out for number 1 (which is me) a whole lot more than I ever have in my entire working life.

nimbo

If you've been with them that long i'd be honest.

Say it's always been you 'dream' job, you applied on a whim, and that after so long you thought it had been and gone which is why you hadn't mentioned it....

the boss is more likely to be p issy if he finds out he's been lied to, and now that you have asked your colleagues their plans it may ring alarm bills of you pull a sickie etc.

Tiddlywinks

Strider590 wrote: »

In the OP's situation i'd call in with a good "excuse".... Two day's is good too because illness only looks suspicious if you have just one day off.

If successful the employer will know that the OP would have attended an interview / assessment and will make an educated guess that those two sick days were probably suspicious.

Then, add to this the fact that the OP will need a reference... honesty and reliability questions would be an open invitation for the boss to stick the knife in.

Slinky wrote: »

How about approaching your boss with the line of you're very happy in your current job and aren't actively seeking employment elsewhere.

However when you were at school you toyed with the idea that you wanted to go into the Armed Forces, but never did anything about it at the time. A few months ago you saw the opportunity advertised so decided to apply, not expecting it go anywhere, but now it has, you feel it's an itch that needs to be scratched. They want you to go for an interview on these 2 days. You feel it's something that you need to go an attend, otherwise you'll never know whether you should have chosen a different road. Emphasise how you are happy in your current role and are very willing to continue in it, but you just need to get it clear in your head whether the Armed Forces is or isn't the right future for you.

How does that sound?

I think this is the best approach - it's honest yet still shows loyalty in that the OP is not saying he is absolutely looking to leave to go anywhere... just that he has a hankering to try the Armed Forces.

Again, remember that a lot of forces posts are vetted and the previous employer might be approached as part of the background checks - don't want to give him any examples of dishonesty etc do you?

adg1

If I was your employer and I knew you were thinking of leaving I would find a reason to replace you.

Why would I keep someone on the books who is (in their eyes) actively seeeking other employment (by attending interviews)?

No employer will give you time off for an interview unless it is internal - why should they? They gain nothing.

My advice is to make up an un-elaborate story and stick to it.

Especially if the military interview is nowhere near your employers offices.